Sub for Santa!!!!

At our church we have a sub for Santa tree where you take an ornament and buy a gift for a child who doesn't have much. We chose a 18 month old girl who's parents had just asked for diapers. We are planning on doing more than that so that hopefully she can have a really nice Christmas. It really made me think about how fortunate I was when I was little. I recieved so many gifts that I wouldn't even take the time to look at one before I moved on to the next. Ian and I have decided that we are going to do a sub for Santa every year to help a child who wouldn't be getting anything otherwise. We have been thinking alot lately about how we can buy Christmas for all the children in our family without breaking the bank and without buying them things they already have. With our nieces and nephews numbering 7 1/2 and growing rapidly it can sometimes be a hard task. All the kids in our families are very fortunate to have parents that are able to provide them with a nice place to live and everything that they need. We came up with an idea that I think is a pretty good one. With the money and time that we usually spend on buying the children in our families presents we are going to use that money toward a child who would be getting nothing else. I think this is a good idea for many reasons but especially because we can share with the kids in our life that by them giving up one present from their aunt and uncle that they were able to help a little kid who really needed a nice coat to keep them warm or shoes to keep their little feet dry. Hopefully when our nieces and nephews get a little older they will learn what a great thing they are doing and in the future will be able to help us pick out the gifts that they give to a child who is less fortunate. We love our nieces and nephews so much and think that this really is the best thing that we could give them for Christmas. This year is a little late to get it started but hopefully next year we can set aside a day that all of the older kids can go with us to help pickout the present that they will give to a kid who would really enjoy it. This really made me think about how fortunate I am to have such nice things and such a great family that I can share it with. I hope everyone has a great Holiday season and keeps in mind what the Holidays are really about. Merry Christmas everyone!